Museum board prepares to cut Pott

Administrative leave typically means an employee has been temporarily relieved of their duties, but pay and benefits continue until the employee is either reinstated or terminated.

“Ken Pott is on administrative leave pending his separation from the museum,” said Bob Monetza, a member of the museum's board. “The Museum Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interest of the museum for us to go our separate ways.”

Pott's imminent departure follows a two-year tenure that has been filled with criticism from others in the community about his running of the Grand Haven facility.

Read a letter to the museum board about concerns over Pott's management: download the RELATED FILE below this story.

Robb Robbins, vice president of the museum board, said they're working through arrangements on some type of severance agreement for Pott, but he wouldn’t discuss its details.

“It could be resolved very quickly, or not,” Robbins said. “We’re in the middle of it.”

Museum officials also wouldn’t elaborate on why Pott was placed on administrative leave, other than that it was "a personnel matter."

Museum Board President Nancy Solon said that there were “no improprieties” by Pott.

Pott was named director of the museum in April 2011. He was previously executive director of the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph.

The museum's curator of exhibits, Steve Radtke, has been named acting museum director.

Attempts by the Tribune to reach Pott for comment were unsuccessful.

To read more of this story, see today’s print or e-edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.